Senior India fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s international career might have hit a roadblock as he looks to be out of the selectors’ plans for the upcoming limited-overs plans, according to former India opener Aakash Chopra. Bhuvneshwar wasn’t in the side in the recently-concluded T20I series against Australia. He is also not part of any of the squads for the upcoming India tour to South Africa. The senior pacer has not played T20Is since November 2022.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra shared his thoughts on Bhuvneshwar’s career and whether the Indian team’s doors are shut for him.

“I and you won’t decide his career because we are not the selectors, and who are we to say whether it’s over or a long career is left? It’s not looking good in the current scenario. It seems like a roadblock has come,” Aakash Chopra said.

Chopra noted that the swing bowler has been ignored despite decent performances in IPL 2023 and this year’s Sayed Mushtaq Ali trophy.

“You are not getting opportunities. You had a decent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and a decent IPL as well but you are not getting picked anywhere. It was decided long back that they won’t pick him in ODIs but now they are not picking him for T20Is also,” he added.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer scalped 16 wickets in 14 matches and finished off as the team’s highest wicket-taker in IPL 2023. The Uttar Pradesh bowler was joint-fourth highest wicket-taker in the Sayed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with 16 scalps in 7 matches and maintained an excellent economy rate of 5.84.

Despite his achievements, Kumar’s career has been marred by injuries that have hindered his ability to secure a long-term position in the Indian squad. The 33-year-old bowler’s troubles began with a back injury during an ODI series decider against England in 2018, which led to his exclusion from subsequent Test matches. The following year, he sustained a knee injury during the 2019 World Cup, and his struggles continued with a sports-induced hernia in 2020.

These recurring fitness issues have cast a shadow over Kumar’s selection prospects. Consequently, other bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Siraj have surpassed him in the selection hierarchy due to their current performance ratings.